Is your machine tempermental?

[lostinthefrost]

I seem to be lucky to get 2 carvings per 8 hours if I am lucky enough not to have a x,y,or z axis stall or "clean y rails" or something. I have been using the v-bit a lot to make plaques. I converted back to a simple st Louis cardinal carving and I kept getting "clean Y rails" and it's making me blow through material like mad.

Anyone have similar issues? it's getting a bit old. I have been cleaning everything thoroughly, replaced several parts, and make sure everything is tight.

[PCW]

I have the same problem if I go to long in between vacuuming during carving. I have be waiting on installing a downdraft/updraft because I have not made a decision on which one would be best.

[lostinthefrost]

I have a top side vac pull dust up. I know it's not a fancy dust collector but it's pulling 85% of it. I have had to use a lot of help from the guys here and the 800# tech support when I can. Some days I am lucky, but lately its been horrible.

[Rick P]

I have a simple down draft box made of 2x6s and connected it to my Delta dust collector. After hours of carving it stays fairly clean inside. I think adding a dust collector and down draft to the CW is important. Wood shops typically have a dust collection for their woodworking tools and the CW is another woodworking tool...except dust collection is EVEN more important with the CW.

[lostinthefrost]

Rick you dont happen to have a pattern or pic of it do you?

[PCW]

Hang in there. There will be better days. I'm am just to stubborn sometimes but I always win with the little machine. I kind of like the challenges they throw at me so we get along pretty good. Matter of a fact I purchase a second machine last week. But now I feel pretty confident that I can take anything that either one throws at me.

Are you working in a warm environment when you carving?

[lostinthefrost]

ya it's warm finally here in Central Illinois. I have 6x6 nook in my shop that is perfect for my machine. I have it mounted on a miter saw stand I found at menards xmas time for $30. I purchased the machine refurb'd. In the first few months I was cracking 16x10's carvings of anything and everything on nasty pine. now I have some nice poplar and have been getting a bit more extensive and it seems that the machine doesnt want to do the simple things anymore. Luckily (kind of) I just was laid off and have a bit of time. If I could make a good living out of it, I would design and do everything I could with this machine. I only wish there was a store or wood working store that I could work at around here. Ahh well.. I will keep at it.

[fwharris]

Lost,

I noticed that you said you have using a lot of "nasty pine". Have you checked for pitch build up on the rails and bearings? Give them a good wipe down with some alcohol on a rag, re lube and see it that helps some...

[Ike]

Does it count I am a tempermental user?!! Lost my friend all I can say is clean clean clean! My biggest issue has been a close cover switch, again clean and check for loose wires and screws!

I am in the need to clean my QC bits are sticking sometimes, so it needs cleaning!

Ike

[AWoodsmith]

Does it count I am a tempermental user?!! Lost my friend all I can say is clean clean clean! My biggest issue has been a close cover switch, again clean and check for loose wires and screws!

I am in the need to clean my QC bits are sticking sometimes, so it needs cleaning!

Ike

I was working on a sign for a customer due later today Wednesday and had 2characters left to carve on one part of the sign and all of a sudden it kicked out the board. Well it was 4:30 AM when this happened so I said I will go to bed and figure it out later. Well with a little help from LHR it was confirmed, my board sensor died. Well I happen to be talking to a guy that was selling a Compucarve, so I bought it and figured I can get this job done if I pulled another all night-er. Well I finished the one that got kicked out and carved the other part of the sign that was all Centerline. I loaded the last part of the carve and got the dreaded Y axis failure. It made a sound kind of like gears slipping then I got the error message. So I am trying to figure out a way to get this fixed tonight. I might just take the board sensor out of the compucarve and put it in the CW and see how that works.